Panasonic TS30 Review -- First Impressions

If you're interested in a rugged, waterproof camera that can take a lot of abuse from the elements but don't want to shell out for the top-of-the-line model, or if you prefer a slightly smaller model, the Panasonic TS30 should likely make your short list. The follow-up to 2014's TS25, the TS30 sports the specs that traveling adventurers will likely crave, including being submersible to 26ft, shockproof to 5ft, freeze-proof to 14 degrees F and also dustproof. These credentials and the lightweight package make it an intriguing option for camping, diving or skiing... wherever your adventure travels take you.

If you're familiar with the TS25, almost nothing about the TS30 will seem new. The color schemes have been updated, although for the most part Panasonic simply dropped white from the available options, leaving blue, black and red as the color offerings on the TS30. The rest of the package is pretty much identical to the TS25, including the same 16.1-megapixel 1/2.33" CCD sensor, 4x optical zoom Lumix DC Vario lens with a 25-100mm eq. range across max apertures from f/3.9 (wide) to f/5.7 (tele), and a 2.7" 260k dot LCD. However we did spot one difference in specs: the amount of internal memory has been increased over its predecessor, from about 70MB to a much more generous 220MB.

Advanced underwater mode and a torchlight function are also ported over from the TS25, useful for assisting snorkelers or scuba divers in their quest to capture life below the surface. The model sports ample creative options for making image capture easier across a variety of shooting situations, including 12 creative control modes and 13 scene modes. In addition there's also a handy time-lapse function for capturing events over time. Continuous shooting is rated at ~1.3 frames/second, but can be boosted to 8 frames/second in high speed burst mode at a reduced resolution.

HD video of 1280 x 720 pixels at 30fps is possible in MP4 format, along with lower resolution settings as well. In order to keep costs at a lower price point this model is not equipped with Wi-Fi, NFC or GPS. For these more advanced options you'll want to take a look at the Panasonic TS6, unveiled alongside the TS30.

The Panasonic TS30 will be available in early spring, listing for ~US$180.